Theo James

Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis (born 16 December 1984) is an English actor and producer. He gained recognition for playing Tobias Eaton in The Divergent Series (2014–2016). He has starred in the horror films Underworld: Awakening (2012) and Underworld: Blood Wars (2016), the science fiction film Archive (2020), and the dark comedy The Monkey (2025) in a dual role as a pair of twin brothers. In television, he appeared in the short-lived CBS crime drama series Golden Boy (2013), the romance series The Time Traveler's Wife (2022), and the dark comedy series The White Lotus (2022), which earned him a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award. In 2024, he played the lead role in Guy Ritchie's action comedy series The Gentlemen.

Infobox

Born

Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis (1984-12-16) 16 December 1984 (age 41)High Wycombe, England

Alma mater

mw- University of Nottingham (BA) Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

Occupation

Actor

Years active

2010–present

Spouse

Ruth Kearney

Children

Tables

· Filmography › Film

2010

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

Role(s)

Ray

2011

The Inbetweeners Movie

Role(s)

James

2012

Underworld: Awakening

Role(s)

David

2014

Divergent

Role(s)

Tobias "Four" Eaton

2015

The Divergent Series: Insurgent

The Benefactor

Role(s)

Luke

2016

War on Everyone

Role(s)

Lord James Mangan

The Divergent Series: Allegiant

Role(s)

Tobias "Four" Eaton

Underworld: Blood Wars

Role(s)

David

The Secret Scripture

Role(s)

Father Gaunt

2018

Backstabbing for Beginners

Role(s)

Michael

Notes

Also executive producer

Zoe

Role(s)

Ash

How It Ends

Role(s)

Will Younger

London Fields

Role(s)

Guy Clinch

2019

Lying and Stealing

Role(s)

Ivan

Notes

Also executive producer

2020

Archive

Role(s)

George Almore

Notes

Also producer

2021

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf

Role(s)

Vesemir

Notes

Voice role

2022

Dual

Role(s)

Robert Michaels

Mr. Malcolm's List

Role(s)

Henry Ossory

2025

The Monkey

Role(s)

Hal and Bill Shelburn

Rosemead

Role(s)

—

Notes

Executive producer

TBA

Role(s)

Fuze

Notes

TBA

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2010	You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger	Ray
2011	The Inbetweeners Movie	James
2012	Underworld: Awakening	David
2014	Divergent	Tobias "Four" Eaton
2015	The Divergent Series: Insurgent	Tobias "Four" Eaton
2015	The Benefactor	Luke
2016	War on Everyone	Lord James Mangan
	The Divergent Series: Allegiant	Tobias "Four" Eaton
	Underworld: Blood Wars	David
	The Secret Scripture	Father Gaunt
2018	Backstabbing for Beginners	Michael	Also executive producer
	Zoe	Ash
	How It Ends	Will Younger
	London Fields	Guy Clinch
2019	Lying and Stealing	Ivan	Also executive producer
2020	Archive	George Almore	Also producer
2021	The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf	Vesemir	Voice role
2022	Dual	Robert Michaels
2022	Mr. Malcolm's List	Henry Ossory
2025	The Monkey	Hal and Bill Shelburn
2025	Rosemead	—	Executive producer
TBA	Fuze	TBA	Filming

· Filmography › Television

2010

A Passionate Woman

Role(s)

Alex "Craze" Crazenovski

Downton Abbey

Role(s)

Kemal Pamuk

Notes

1 episode

2011

Bedlam

Role(s)

Jed Harper

Notes

6 episodes

2012

Case Sensitive

Role(s)

Aidan Harper

Notes

2 episodes

Room at the Top

Role(s)

Jack Wales

2013

Golden Boy

Role(s)

Walter William Clark Jr.

Notes

Lead role

2018–2021

Role(s)

Castlevania

Notes

Hector (voice)

2019

Sanditon

Role(s)

Sidney Parker

Notes

Main role (season 1); also executive producer

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

Role(s)

Rek'yr (voice)

Notes

2 episodes

The Witcher

Role(s)

Young Vesemir (voice)

Notes

1 episode

2022

The Time Traveler's Wife

Role(s)

Henry DeTamble

Notes

Lead role

The White Lotus

Role(s)

Cameron Sullivan

Notes

Main role, season 2

2024

The Gentlemen

Role(s)

Eddie Horniman

Notes

Main role

X-Men '97

Role(s)

Bastion (voice)

Notes

4 episodes

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2010	A Passionate Woman	Alex "Craze" Crazenovski
2010	Downton Abbey	Kemal Pamuk	1 episode
2011	Bedlam	Jed Harper	6 episodes
2012	Case Sensitive	Aidan Harper	2 episodes
2012	Room at the Top	Jack Wales	2 episodes
2013	Golden Boy	Walter William Clark Jr.	Lead role
2018–2021	Castlevania	Hector (voice)	Main role; 19 episodes (seasons 2–4)
2019	Sanditon	Sidney Parker	Main role (season 1); also executive producer
	The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance	Rek'yr (voice)	2 episodes
	The Witcher	Young Vesemir (voice)	1 episode
2022	The Time Traveler's Wife	Henry DeTamble	Lead role
2022	The White Lotus	Cameron Sullivan	Main role, season 2
2024	The Gentlemen	Eddie Horniman	Main role
2024	X-Men '97	Bastion (voice)	4 episodes

· Theatre

2017

Sex with Strangers

Role(s)

Ethan

Notes

Hampstead Theatre

2020

City of Angels

Role(s)

Stone

Notes

Garrick Theatre

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2017	Sex with Strangers	Ethan	Hampstead Theatre
2020	City of Angels	Stone	Garrick Theatre

· Awards and nominations

2014

Divergent

Role(s)

Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Action

Notes

Won

Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Breakout Star

Role(s)

Won

Young Hollywood Award for Fan Favourite Actor - Male

Role(s)

Nominated

Young Hollywood Award for Best On-Screen Couple (with Shailene Woodley)

Role(s)

Nominated

2015

People's Choice Awards for Favorite Movie Duo (with Shailene Woodley)

Role(s)

Won

The Divergent Series: Insurgent

Role(s)

Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Action

Notes

Nominated

Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Liplock (with Shailene Woodley)

Role(s)

Won

2016

The Divergent Series: Allegiant

Role(s)

Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Action

Notes

Nominated

Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Chemistry (with Shailene Woodley)

Role(s)

Nominated

Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Liplock (with Shailene Woodley)

Role(s)

Nominated

2023

The White Lotus

Role(s)

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

Notes

Won

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Role(s)

Nominated

Year	Nominated work	Award	Result
2014	Divergent	Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Action	Won
		Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Breakout Star	Won
		Young Hollywood Award for Fan Favourite Actor - Male	Nominated
		Young Hollywood Award for Best On-Screen Couple (with Shailene Woodley)	Nominated
2015		People's Choice Awards for Favorite Movie Duo (with Shailene Woodley)	Won
	The Divergent Series: Insurgent	Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Action	Nominated
	The Divergent Series: Insurgent	Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Liplock (with Shailene Woodley)	Won
2016	The Divergent Series: Allegiant	Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Action	Nominated
		Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Chemistry (with Shailene Woodley)	Nominated
		Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Liplock (with Shailene Woodley)	Nominated
2023	The White Lotus	Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series	Won
2023	The White Lotus	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series	Nominated

References

The Times
https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/the-interview-theo-james-talks-sanditon-objectification-and-being-a-heart-throb-vjbr9nnj2
apnews.com
https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-texas-celebrity-music-690c46249812dfc0c352ee6b7951e919
Young, Susan (9 September 2011). "James' 'Stranger' Role Leads to 'Bedlam' – TV's Top 10: New Faces for Fall – Theo Ja
https://variety.com/2011/tv/features/james-stranger-role-leads-to-bedlam-1118042124/
The Scotsman
http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/film/divergent-star-theo-james-on-his-career-ascension-1-3718677
Evening Standard
https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/theo-james-interview-west-end-debut-city-of-angels-a4384356.html
"Instagram"
https://www.instagram.com/refugees/reel/Cx8AWmgoJDq/?hl=en
UNHCR
https://www.unhcr.org/prominent-supporters/theo-james#:~:text=About%20Theo&text=The%20experience%20of%20my%20own,through%20Turkey%20to%20Damascus,%20Syria.
Toronto Star
https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2013/03/07/theo_james_leapt_at_chance_to_play_tough_new_york_cop_in_golden_boy.html
CraveOnline
http://www.craveonline.com/tv/interviews/175884-theo-james-talks-bedlam
"Theo James Speed Date"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3K4chixv6E
alumni.ags.bucks.sch.uk
https://alumni.ags.bucks.sch.uk/news/career-profiles/152/152-Theo-James-Taptiklis-Paterson-
University of Nottingham
https://web.archive.org/web/20141106060057/http://www.alumni.nottingham.ac.uk/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1705
Sky Living
https://web.archive.org/web/20111219202554/http://skyliving.sky.com/biog-theo-james
BBC Press Office
https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/04_april/07/passionate_woman4.shtml
"Round-up: 'Divergent's' Theo James Recalls His Quickie 'Downton' Stint and other 'Downton Abbey' News"
http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2014/03/round-up-divergents-theo-james-recalls-his-quickie-downton-stint-and-other-downton-abbey-news
Screen International
http://www.screendaily.com/reports/uk-stars-of-tomorrow/class-of-2009-where-are-they-now/5015798.article
Room At The Top
https://web.archive.org/web/20110928004007/http://www.screenyorkshire.co.uk/news/news-archive/casting-unveiled-on-room-at-the-top
"'Divergent' Interview: Theo James Talks Personal Fears & Complex Characters"
https://screenrant.com/divergent-interview-theo-james
Celebrity Ping
https://web.archive.org/web/20191219154756/https://celebrityping.com/theo-james-the-star-of-divergent-series/
The Hollywood Reporter
https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/divergent-actor-theo-james-star-72233
HuffPost
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/golden-boy-canceled_n_3064780
Entertainment Weekly
https://www.ew.com/article/2013/03/15/divergent-four-theo-james
"'Insurgent' Has Officially Been Given The Green Light For 2015, Not That You Had Any Doubts"
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/22/insurgent-2015_n_5012953.html
Masterpiece
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/specialfeatures/sanditon-s1-7-things-about-theo-james/
Deadline
https://web.archive.org/web/20140830191032/http://deadline.com/2013/09/london-fields-gets-underway-with-amber-heard-billy-bob-thornton-and-jim-sturgess-581992/
"'Divergent' Star Theo James, Dakota Fanning Join Richard Gere in 'Franny'"
https://web.archive.org/web/20210610193025/https://www.thewrap.com/theo-james-dakota-fanning-join-in-franny
Deadline
https://web.archive.org/web/20140818095236/http://deadline.com/2013/09/dakota-fanning-theo-james-board-richard-geres-frannie-596261/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2019/08/theo-james-andrew-d-corkin-launching-film-tv-label-untapped-1202669295/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2020/09/independent-sells-out-theo-james-stacy-martin-sci-fi-archive-1234572053/
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/hbo-the-time-travelers-wife-tv-review-1235145926/
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-white-lotus-meghann-fahy-theo-james-among-four-added-to-season-2-cast-1235090896/
bracknellnews.co.uk
https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/24160238.netflix-gentlemen-full-cast-list-releases/
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/divergents-theo-james-four-690101/
"Theo James Hugo Boss"
http://www.eonline.com/news/690998/theo-james-first-official-hugo-boss-fragrance-ad-is-here-see-the-steamy-pic
People.com
https://people.com/tv/who-is-ruth-kearney-theo-james-wife/
inquisitr.com
https://www.inquisitr.com/2826190/the-reason-behind-theo-james-and-ruth-kearneys-wedding-delay-and-it-doesnt-involve-shailene-woodley/
Instagram
https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/Bm9FiZ3h2w1
Marie Claire
https://www.marieclaire.com.au/theo-james-partner
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/mar/17/you-cant-always-win-in-this-industry-theo-james-on-fame-guy-ritchie-and-the-actors-hustle
UNHCR
http://www.unhcr.org/theo-james.html
CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/20/opinions/opinion-world-refugee-day-theo-james/index.html
Time
https://time.com/4670784/theo-james-syria-refugee-unhcr/
GQ
https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/theo-james-refugee-story
IGN
https://www.ign.com/articles/the-witcher-nightmare-of-the-wolf-anime-cast-characters
Variety
https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/rosemead-review-lucy-liu-1236418768/
"Teen Choice Awards 2015 Winners: Full List"
https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/teen-choice-awards-winners-2015-full-list-1201571268